"Stay here until I call for you, no matter what. They're gonna turn every gun on me, except for one or two. That's fine, considering they've only got one working gun between them. I might get roughed up a bit. But stay. I will call for backup if I need it," Lara told Rick firmly in a whisper as they watched the standoff happening in front of them. The pricks were demanding to be let in. Threatening, trying to bully their way into the fortress. Fucking idiots.
"Lara-" Rick tried to say.
"Just have my six against shitbrains Eastwood," Lara said before standing up and walking confidently towards the intruders.
She let herself become the strong leader she wanted others to see and think she was. Letting herself become the predator she could be in defence of her family.
"Well hi there neighbourino's! Not our turn to host book club this week so we weren't expecting' y'all!" Lara called as she strolled into the group of motorbikes, not even blinking as they turned weapons on her. In fact she forced a smirk across her lips. The man who had been threatening her people now had his full attention on her.
She studied him closely. He looked angry, tense, unyielding. She could see the fear in his eyes though. He hadn't prepared for this place to be inhabited. She let her eyes trail across him and smirked wider.
"Well at least someone's friendly around here, pretty girl. Why don't you tell your boss to let us in now. Before that pretty little face gets all messed up," the man said in a rough growl.
Lara started laughing. A false tinkling laugh that she hoped was just a touch menacing. Probably not though. Candyman had that down to an art. Maybe she should ask for lessons. She wondered if the man was out there watching yet or if he was still trying to get back. Him and his brother both. For she trusted Barton to have her back as much as his brother. It was an odd feeling, especially as she hadn't known him for two weeks yet. Still right now she was relying on it.
"Let me think about that. Not a fuckin' chance. Now why don't y'all signal your boss man, I'm not talking to the monkey. I want the organ grinder," she said in a loud and ringing voice. She wanted her people to know there was at least one more hidden somewhere.
"I am-"
"Yeah, yeah, not pulling that shit with me. I may be blonde but I ain't the stereotypical dumb one. You're wearing a vice president's patch. Wouldn't matter what the hell happened to your actual president but if y'all were the ringleader of this circus you'd be wearing it. Now. Call for him," Lara said, her eyes locking with his, her smile dropping. Half of this was acting, bolstering. She actually kind of enjoyed it a little. She would prefer her people to live in peace without dicks like this trying to bring down the neighbourhood though.
"So you know something about MCs?" The man asked, looking a little impressed.
"No, but I watched Sons of Anarchy, same as everyone else. God damn I hope Charlie Hunnam is still alive. I always liked my men with a bit of an edge and gruff," Lara said with a smile as she turned her back, signaling she didn't see him as a threat. "Now, I wanna parlay with the head honcho."
"You ain't in no position to be making demands little girl," the man tried to claim back his man card.
"You should be right. You have six guns trained on me, have me outnumbered and have backup somewhere out there. However…" Lara smirked looking out to the woods. "Only one of your guns has any actual ammo and that one has it's safety still on. The man who is the biggest threat here has been injured which is why only one of his legs is down. Your women don't know how to do much other than shoot, which is rendered unimportant due to the lack of bullets. And if you think I'm stupid enough to come out here without anyone watching over me… well lets just say you have severely underestimated me."
Lara spotted a couple of shitbrains making their way out of the forest. A smile crossed her face. She signaled to the guard towers to take them out. Two cracks from the snipers echoed and the undead were now really dead.
The men in front of her now looked scared.
"Now. I ask once more. Call your boss," Lara said simply.
The vice president was looking over her shrewdly, that same fear in his eyes but also a little respect. He raised his fingers to his mouth and let out a shrill whistle.
The loud rumble of bikes echoed around the silent area as three more bikes came closer. In the lead was who was obviously the president. He was an older man, maybe late forties early fifties with salt and pepper hair and a scruff that could do with shaving. He had bags under his eyes and a set to his shoulders that screamed in charge. The two flanking him were more weary. Two younger men, probably about Lara's age and filthy looking. Ground down by life and the apocalypse. She identified with that.
As the bikes parked behind her and Lara was surrounded she took the moment to glance to where she knew her people would be in the cover of forest. She had to protect them. To make up for her gaffe from earlier. A bird call came from the depths and she smiled knowing Candyman was telling her he was there.
"Good afternoon," Lara said welcomingly to the president of this ragtag club.
"What the fuck is going on here?" The man ignored her, instead talking straight to his vice president. He obviously didn't believe in strong women.
"She wanted to see you," the vice president said with a little wobble to his voice. He was nervous. More so of the gruff man in front of her than he had been knowing he could be shot down by her group easily. Huh. So the asshole in charge was an asshole who ruled with an iron fist. Good to know.
"And you let some pussy dictate to you?" The man growled again.
"Okay, so you can give your man there a thorough fucking in front of everyone or you can tell me what exactly y'all doing here?" Lara interrupted what was sure to be an interesting and lively debate.
"And who the fuck are you?" The president finally turned his burning eyes onto her. If she didn't have her family to protect she would have been intimidated. He was obviously a guy who would get his hands dirty without a second thought.
"I'm Lara. And you are?" She asked still with a little smirk on her face.
"I will be the one running this place now," the man said.
"Good one. Now how about you hop back on your little scooters and fuck off. You started something you can't finish," Lara said, watching carefully the way that his eyes took her in, the positioning of her people visible behind her and the two downed dead not far away.
The man gave an almost imperceptible nod to the man who should have been the biggest threat behind her. Lara saw it and readied herself. Sure enough a moment later a strong arm wrapped tightly, but not too tightly around her neck, a knife to her throat. The man was good enough not to push his body against hers though. What a gentleman.
"Now this is how it's going to-"
Lara cut off the president and his posturing. "You ever hear that urban legend? Ya know the one about a man with a hook or a blade for a hand. You say his name three times and he appears?" Lara said conversationally. "He was supposed to be a scary motherfucker who would rip people apart. I always wondered if it would work. Let's see shall we? Candyman! Candyman! Candyman!"
Silence echoed around her for minutes before the president started laughing. "You are one fucking cracked bitch."
"Don't call me a bitch," Lara said.
"Or what?" The president smirked.
Lara shoved her hand towards the knife at her neck, twisting the wrist holding it and kicking out at the man's bad leg. He instantly dropped her and as all eyes were on her, shock on their faces, a lumbering, impressive form appeared behind the president. His face held a look of malice and a creepy ass smile that would strike fear in the heart of most.
"You called Princess?" Candyman played along, his voice more rasping than usual. He looked terrifying with his knife for a hand raised ready to take down the president without any hesitation.
"What the fuck-"
"Wow it worked!" Lara said with a laugh, she was enjoying this just a little too much. "I wonder if it works with anyone else! Clint, Clint, Clint!"
From one side of the surrounding bush out came Rick, his huge pistol in hand. From the otherside came Daryl, crossbow raised, face set intimidatingly.
"Two for the price of one with that one, Eastwood and Barton!" Lara said happily. "Now. What do you want?"
"We were just looking for somewhere-" one of the females started saying in a shaky voice. One that had Lara feeling a little sorry for her. Still, sorry or not, these were strays Lara wasn't taking in. They would not comply, they would not work with the group, only against it.
"Shut up!" The president yelled and the woman flinched back in fear. The air around Barton, Eastwood and Candyman froze as Lara's teeth set.
"Go. I see you again, it won't end well for you," Lara said to the president.
"I-"
"Tires," Lara said, looking towards Barton who nodded once and fired two bolts into the man's tires.
"Last chance," Candyman growled out his knife pointed towards the president.
"You fucking bitch!" The president yelled but refrained from pouncing on her like he obviously wanted to. His eyes taking in the situation they were stuck in.
"Go," Lara said, turning her back on him. "Anyone who wants refuge but is not loyal to that man is welcome to return. Without him. I see him, you play us, there will be no warning."
With that Lara stepped out of the middle of the bikes and towards the front gate. Candyman, Rick and Barton flanked her as she watched the president swap bikes with one of the younger men before they rode away. Only two of them glancing backwards longingly.
"Man like that ain't gonna hand over his balls that easily Princess," Red said loudly from behind them.
"That I know. Candyman?" Lara asked, security was his thing. He'd think of much better ways to protect them all than she would. She thought that she would change the rule about going out in twos to threes though.
"Fuckin' pussy's ain't gonna do much. It's the prez who's gonna have an issue an' he's gonna be swinging a big ol' hard on for you Princess," Merle said, anger in his voice.
"I know it's the end of the world. I know the population is depressingly small right now and good available bachelors with interest in me are gonna be hard to come by. But I would rather fuck a shitbrain," Lara said with a shudder. Merle's imagery was not a pretty one. Behind her Michonne snorted out a laugh.
"Let's get everyone in, get something nice food wise going. Games for the kids, then we need to debrief," Lara said looking at the people surrounding her to make sure they agreed. Every one of them nodded, including Rick and Daryl.
0101010101010
The next day Kill Bill, Maggie and Lara were heading out to check the snares and all carrying multiple weapons. Candyman hadn't expected immediate retaliation, he thought it would come when they had almost forgotten, however they had to be smart about it.
Merle had argued with her and then Red had argued with her about three women going out to check alone. They would do it the next day after they had finished clearing the small armoury they had come across and the corridors surrounding it. Lara had agreed with them. Until they had gone back to work when she had grabbed the two women and headed out. Each of them had walkie talkies if they got in trouble. Which would be the only reason they used them.
"How long are you grounded for then?" Kill Bill smirked as they walked through the forest together.
"I don't know mom. How long do you think?" Lara sniped back. Merle had gone off on her about her idiocy the day before with the MC. He had then told her she wouldn't be doing anymore scouting, runs, anything like that. She was ignoring him, but perhaps had not helped the imagery that she was a teenager instead of a woman in her mid twenties by storming to her room and slamming the door shut behind her.
"It'll be longer if ya get caught sneakin' out," Maggie said, making Kill Bill laugh. Lara couldn't help her own chuckle either. This was the perfect chance to get to know Maggie properly. For both her and Kill Bill.
"Laugh it up. You're both gonna get in trouble too. Aren't ya supposed to be going to meet up with a guy or going out to a party when you sneak out. Not checking snares," Lara said with a sigh but a small smile on her face. That part of her childhood or teenage years she didn't have. By the time she was into all of that she was living on her own anyway.
"And who would you be sneaking out to meet hmmm?" Michonne asked with a wicked glint in her eyes that made Lara hesitant. "Maybe someone to sit under the stars with, sharing alcohol?"
"You spy!" Lara growled, her lip went between her teeth as she felt the small burn of embarrassment. Still, it wasn't like anything happened. At all. Less than nothing. The same thing the girls were doing today in fact. That lessened the tight band around her chest. Daryl and her were friends, like her and Kill Bill and hopefully her and Maggie.
"You were meetin' up with a guy. Who!?" Maggie asked excitedly, sounding just like the gossiping kids that Lara had always been outcast from before. This was something that Lara had always secretly wanted, even if she had pretended she didn't.
"No one," Lara said immediately.
"Ooh, is it Tommy? He's cute," Maggie wasn't to be deterred. The brunette had a wide, mischievous smile and her dark eyes were twinkling.
"God no!" Lara said with a little disgust. Tommy Boy was basically a kid in today's world. He could shoot. Just. But hand to hand, basic survival, foraging, he was not good at basically anything needed to flourish in the new world. She couldn't be with someone she had to look out for every second of every day. It would feel too much like cradle robbing. Plus the guy bugged her and was just too… clean. Too preppy. So not her.
"Then who… Merle?" Maggie asked, her eyes alight with sincere interest.
Michonne started laughing at that as Lara grimaced.
"No way they're like siblings. Or Ol' Merle, likes to think he's her father," Kill Bill explained.
"Fuckin' gross," Lara muttered in disgust.
"Then who?" Maggie pushed.
"No one," Lara said at the same time as Michonne betrayed her, "Barton."
Maggie's steps faltered a little in the scrub and her eyes grew round but slowly a wide smile crossed her pretty face.
"No way. Daryl barely talks to anyone let alone sits under the stars with someone. Did you guys screw?" Maggie asked, a new spring to her step.
Lara's tongue touched the groove in her lip. Daryl talked to her just fine. Every mealtime they spoke about something. Maggie was obviously exaggerating, no way would Daryl do stuff like that just with her. Right? Right, there was Carol and it was often Daryl could be seen talking to her. And the kids he spoke to a fair bit, Merle, but they communicated in some type of caveman language that Lara didn't seem to have the right chromosome to understand. He spoke to Rick and Red. Yeah, Maggie was just exaggerating. The night under the stars had just been two friends shooting the shit. Nothing special.
"No! It wasn't anything like that! And come on, like Barton would go for me. He's got Andrea hanging off him every second and he's all muscled and good looking. He could have anyone he wanted," Lara said, her eyes ahead where she knew a snare was.
"You own a mirror, right?" Maggie asked, sounding incredulous. "And we're talking about the same Daryl? I mean he's got muscles sure, but he's no Brad Pitt."
"Pretty sure I would pick him over Brad. He's got that rough edge to him that Brad could never have," Lara said with a small smile. That smile that he rarely gave that lit his eyes and was shy at the same time. The flush of his neck and cheeks as embarrassment hit him.
"Ah, Lara's got a crush!" Kill Bill teased as they came across the depressingly empty snare.
"Shall we talk about your crushes Bill?" Lara said with raised eyebrows.
"Think we should probably deal with them first," Maggie interrupted, pointing out distant shambling figures.
Lara sighed as she pulled out her knives. Just another day in paradise.
0202020202020
Daryl wiped the sweat from his head as he greedily sucked down some water. Merle, Red, Rick and him were clearing the corridors leading to a paltry armoury. It only held a few rifles and two hand guns, with a bit of ammo left over. But that could make a difference. So they had been slogging it all morning. They were all hot and sweaty, all covered in gore and surprisingly had worked well as a team.
"So I saw somethin' intrestin' the other night little brother," Merle drawled as they sat on the benches in the armoury taking a break.
Daryl dipped his head in his brother's direction to show he was listening as he grabbed one of the protein bars one of the women had passed them before they got to work. He knew Lara had named her Elmo but didn't know the woman's real name.
"Yeah, I was out lookin' at the stars," Merle said with a teasing tenor to his voice. Daryl looked up quickly, his stomach lurching uncomfortably as he felt the familiar burn of embarrassment take over. No way. Fuckin' asshole. Bringing it up in front of Rick and Red.
"Never pegged you for a romantic Candyman," Red chuckled, his legs spread wide, his shoulders low and at ease.
"Oh you would be righ' there Red. Seems Darylina is though. Ain't that right brother?" Merle smirked, his eyes sparklin' with humor but no malice.
"Shuddup," Daryl muttered, finishing the grainy bar and biting at his thumbnail.
"Nothing wrong with lookin' at the stars. It's not like we have TV to watch at night," Rick came to his defence with a small smile.
"True. But stargazing with a woman. Now that there is a man tryin' to get some pussy," Merle said, his smile even wider now.
Daryl fumed. It hadn't been like that. And it wasn't even his idea. And even if it had been like that, which it wasn't, he didn't like anyone knowin' his fuckin' business. Not that Lara was his business… Merle was a dick.
"That there you ain't wrong about. A man sat lookin' at the stars with a woman, is a man lookin' for some tail," Red agreed with a grin at Daryl. Daryl looked away quickly.
"Wasn't like that," Daryl grumbled, defending himself. It hadn't been like that. Like she would go for a redneck like him. He was a Dixon and Dixon's were not that lucky.
"You were sitting under the stars with someone?" Rick said, his eyebrows shooting up, his voice shocked yet amused. Fuckin' traitor.
"Oh yeah, on the roof, a cosy nest of blankets, some top booze and the stars. Sounds like a date to me," Merle continued to prod.
"I agree," Red grinned around his own protein bar.
"It ain't like that. Just sharin' some booze," Daryl muttered a little more angrily.
"Who was it? Blondie? She's been makin' the bedroom eyes at you since you stepped foot inside. Not my thing but she's got nice tits. Could motorboat those puppies," Red would not shut the hell up and Daryl's frown got harder. "Does tend to sleep around though, no loyalty if that's what you're looking for."
"I ain't lookin' for anything!" Daryl spat out. Why the fuck was this anyones business? He hadn't done anything wrong. Well except get stoned and wasted but hell, it was the end of the world, if ya couldn't drink then when the fuck could ya?
"Come on, he's a Dixon, he's got taste. It wasn't Sugartits," Merle carried on as though Daryl hadn't said a word.
"Wasn't that long ago that you were balls deep in that fine ass," Red said, making Daryl look at his brother. Merle had been fuckin' Andrea? Seemed her standards had slipped since she told Merle that she would rather die.
"Andrea?" Rick asked in shock.
"Oh yeah. And she is one eager chick. Rode my dick like a fuckin' pro. Till she figured out it wouldn't get her anything but the best orgasams of her fuckin' life anyway," Merle said with a chuckle. His face easily showed that he was pleased with himself.
"I feel sick," Rick muttered.
"Me too," Daryl said, he did not need that type of fuckin' imagery in his brain.
"It was the other blonde that Daryl was tryin' to get in the panties of. Wasn't it little brother?" Merle smirked, getting his own back. Fuckin' asshole. Had he really been glad to get his brother back in his life? Maybe stayin' in close quarters wasn't the answer to their prolonged separation. Asshole.
"Lara?" Rick asked with a knowing look. He could take that look and shove it up his ass. He didn't know shit. Hell Daryl didn't even know shit about that particular blonde and what the hell he was feeling about her. Except… except he could get out of this teasing right now. Drop her in it to save his own ass. It wasn't the thing a gentleman would do. But he won't no gentleman.
"Ya know she left as soon as you two turned your back right?" Daryl said to Red and Merle.
"No she didn't," Merle said, his grin fading. "We told her she couldn't-"
"Well fuck me sideways if that wasn't the stupidest fuckin' thing us assholes could've done," Red shook his head as he shared a look with Merle.
Merle pulled his walkie talkie out of his pocket with a frown.
"Princess?" He growled into the small device.
"Candyman, everything alright? You guys all okay?" Lara's voice came through clearly despite the static in the background.
"Fine. Where are you Princess?" Merle asked.
"I can't hear you well Candyman, must be a problem. See you later, stay safe!" And with that Lara was gone.
"God-fuckin'-dammit!" Merle frowned, tossing the walkie talkie onto the floor in anger.
"She doesn't listen to ya?" Rick asked but a smirk on his face told Daryl that Rick knew what he had figured out since the first meeting with the stubborn blonde. Lara didn't listen to or take orders off anyone. She made her own way and people either fell in line or fell away. It was as intriguing and as fuckin' hot as it was infuriating. She was infuriating.
"Princess listens only to the voices in her head," Red said with a grin, finding the whole thing amusing.
"Fuckin' stubborn bitch," Merle said shakin' his head but he was also smirking.
Daryl looked down tryin' to hide his own grin. At least the conversation was now off him.
"I've a mind ta go out an' drag her sorry ass back," Merle carried on.
"She can take care of herself well enough right?" Rick said now with a small frown. As if he was worried a bit. Considering the rocky start he thought Rick might be comin' around to this place now. Which was a good thing, they hadn't had anything this stable since the Farm, and even then it hadn't been as secure as this place.
"Hell yeah, she is the meanest woman I have ever seen," Red grinned with a snort. "First time I met her she had me and Rosita both down before we knew she was there. And let me tell ya that ain't fuckin' easy."
Daryl smiled at that. He could just imagine Lara wrecking merry hell as she came across two armed strangers before giving them the benefit of the doubt.
030303030
Merle had the late watch shift, which he should have considered before givin' himself the task of clearin' out those corridors. Still, least he couldn't say he was bored. And the safer this place was, the safer the kids and his little brother were.
It had been a boring watch, not even a sighting of a walker. The stars were hidden by grey clouds that passed by and the coffee he had only did so much.
His feet silently carried him down the corridor to his room, but he was disturbed by talkin'. Who the hell was down here at this time of night?
Raising his knife he went to investigate.
With a frown he realised it was coming from Lara's room. Who the hell was she talkin' to?
"- want too," her low voice said.
"Might help. Not sayin' ya have to, but I'm here, if ya want," Daryl's low, embarrassed voice came back making Merle's eyebrows shoot upwards. About fuckin' time! Those two were talkin' about doing the deed! Good, they could both do with gettin' laid.
"Thanks Barton, but I'm okay. Sorry I woke ya again. You should probably think about movin' rooms so this doesn't happen every night," Lara said back.
Merle's shoulders dropped. Not a talk about fuckin' then. Damn shame. Girl must have had another of her nightmares. Well good luck to Daryl gettin' what they were about out of her. She had only told Merle about one, one that had her sobbing on the forest floor for an hour. After that she hadn't told him anymore. Guiltily he felt a bit of relief about that. From what he had gathered that one time Daryl's and his life before had been a fuckin' breeze compaired to the girls.
No sex, but at least they were still getting closer. And he had Michonne and Carol helping him in his attempts at matchmakin'.
040404040404
Lara handed the spray paint to Glenn. He was to spray paint little green dots that would change if they found anything useful. They were going to be exploring and clearing a still unknown part of the prison. It was to be her, Glenn, Kill Bill and Daryl. Surprisingly Candyman was the one who had suggested it. Though she thought that may have been to stop her from leaving the prison again. Which she planned on doing, scouting for a mattress and bed store the next day. Not that she had told him that yet.
"A pack of smokes," Kill Bill said as they started putting their packs on.
"A good white wine," Lara nodded back with a smirk. She felt like she had known the other woman all of her life, the closest female friend she had ever had. Lara didn't think it was too sentimental to say she loved Michonne. Which was something, she didn't think she had ever felt real love before the world went to hell.
"What?" Glenn asked, looking between the two.
"Highest Walker score gets what the other offers," Michonne said with a wide grin. They were the only two that played this game, Lara wouldn't play with anyone who would take chances to win. This was about skill, survival and proving who was the biggest badass woman in the Pound. So far Michonne had won three times and Lara five, although it was always close.
"What if we win?" Glenn asked, sounding serious.
Lara exchanged a look with Kill Bill before they both started laughing.
"If you win, I'll make sure there's a bottle of your favorite alcohol for voting day," Lara promised the man, trying not to laugh at his hurt face.
"What about me?" Daryl's gruff voice asked, a small smirk on his face. His crossbow hung around his broad shoulders and down his back. His supply pack was under his arm. He assured them it wouldn't hinder him from fighting. Lara trusted him enough to take it at face value. Why did she trust him so much? Was it the run, Merle? The fact that he came in to check on her after a nightmare every time? She didn't know. She did know though that instead of the list of things she had to do going around her head before she slept, now he was in her head. Replaying any contact they'd had through the day, kicking herself for stupid things she had done or said. Then kicking herself for caring. It was frustrating to say the least.
"What do you want?" Michonne asked, her voice suggestive and Lara wanted to kick her friend.
"A share of the tobacco tin," Daryl said with another small smirk at Lara. She felt her stomach lurch at the look. His blue eyes seemed to burn her in the most delicious way and he had no idea what he was doing.
"I was gonna share anyway, but you have a deal," Lara said with a smile. There were still two joints left. She had been saving them for shitty days, but she was more than happy to just sit with Daryl and get stoned anytime he wanted. He opened up more when he had a buzz. She liked it.
"Tobacco tin?" Glenn asked, looking between the two with a frown.
"Let's get on with it then kiddos," Lara said, heading for the gate and ignoring Glenn. She was not about to share that secret.
There were two more days till they voted on whether the new group stayed or went. The thought hung over her like a thunderstorm. She didn't trust some of them still, she thought that a couple of them were liabilities, however she wanted them to stay. She needed them to stay. They made the group stronger. The main reason though was she couldn't lose Bit, Twink or Candyman. She couldn't. They were all she had, her only family. She didn't want to lose any of her group, well except maybe Andrea or Bob, but those three had been her rocks, her touchstones. Lara had no qualms about who needed who in this group. She was the one that needed the others, they would survive without her. She wouldn't survive without them though.
Lara pulled her keys out and opened the door that led to one part of the unexplored prison. They had yet to find blueprints to the place which would have been handy. And unfortunately unless they had been there before, Rain and Axel didn't know the place.
They headed down the corridor quietly. Glenn's were the only footsteps heard, but even his were quieter than the average persons. No wonder he had been the go to man on runs with his group. His hands were also steady on his weapons and his eyes focused. He was confident in taking on walkers but careful. She was happy that he was along.
The first body they came across was obviously not a walker judging by the maggots that were coming out of where it's eyes should have been. Lara turned her head away from the sight. Most people had a strong stomach now but that was too much for her. Bugs and cavities they shouldn't be in was a huge no.
The first door they came to was a solid metal one that when tested was unlocked. She banged her fist against it before putting her ear to it. She heard nothing but these doors masked sounds too well.
She motioned for Glenn to get it and counted down on her fingers from three.
Knives ready in hand as the door swung open Lara was disappointed to find nothing more than a janitor's closet. All four of them shared disappointed looks before Glenn placed a green tick on the door and they moved on.
The lights further down the corridor were flickering, the bulbs badly in need of changing apparently. She was hoping they'd find the maintenance office at some point so they could deal with shit like that, but so far they hadn't.
The flickering of light and the eerie silence made a flicker of fear travel through Lara's spine. The cold gray concrete didn't help nor the gentle rustling of fabric as they moved.
There were two doors either side of the corridor, opposite each other. One was stained with a dark rusty brown in splatter marks. Beyond the door was a junction. That was an issue. Three other ways to go, three corridors at least to clear.
Lara motioned to the blood stained door with a nod. Kill Bill tried the door to find it also unlocked. With a deep breath Lara nodded to the woman again.
The door opened with a squeal making Lara flinch. "Get our backs!" She whispered in a loud voice as a vicious groan came from the inky blackness beyond the door.
She heard the shuffling that was synonymous with death now. The ungainly lope of a dead person. The sound echoed, so it was a large room. Hopefully with something useful in it.
With a lunge she wasn't expecting the first shitbrain sprang at her. She kicked it's knee out so it toppled before it could take a bite out of her and plunged her knife into it's skull. She had no rest though as Kill Bill was slicing away and Barton had unleashed some arrows. Someone had locked the room full of shitbrains and they had just sprung it open. Lara's knives left her hands faster than her brain was able to consciously notice until she reached for her sword.
"We got company this way!" Glenn said urgently and the bolts stopped coming into the horde Kill Bill and her were facing.
Kill Bill and her stood back to back, both of them slashing, stabbing and hacking. A few minutes later the room appeared to be empty. Lara could feel and smell the blood and gore all over her. She breathed heavily but didn't stop as she pulled out her knives before heading to the two men.
She grabbed one of the shitbrains that was trying to gnaw at Glenn as he battled another. She stabbed it in the head then threw knife after knife once more.
More gore and blood was added to her person and she felt her arms getting tired before it was over.
"Everyone okay?" Lara asked panting, her hands on her knees.
Grunts of agreement came from all around and Lara felt a tiny bit of weight come off her shoulders.
"God this better have been worth it," Lara sighed as she carefully felt around for a light switch. The power for the lights was on, so long as there wasn't a broken… she found the switch and hit it.
"I'd say that's worth it," Glenn said, his voice happy and full of awe.
"We must be nearer to the cafeteria than I thought," Lara muttered, a smile on her face. They were looking at a pantry that was full to the brim. They would not be going hungry anytime soon. "Glenn, can you put a star on the door please. This needs clearing out for sure."
"Yeah," Glenn said eagerly and Lara heard the noise that was unique to spray paint being applied.
"Ten," Kill Bill said as she smiled around at all the food.
"Ha! Twelve!" Lara said happily while sticking out her tongue.
"What? I got five!" Glenn sounded unhappy with his poor score. He must really have wanted that alcohol.
"What about you Barton?" Kill Bill asked, as they moved bodies enough so that if they had to come back they weren't tripping hazards and so that they could close the door behind them.
"Twelve," Daryl said and Lara looked up into his smirking face. A warm fire started in her stomach at that look. God that man was just too much. She really, really wanted to get over her crush, but when he smirked like that at her it honestly made her think about jumping him. She'd never in a million years do it, but the temptation was there.
"Gonna be close," Michonne said with a wide grin. "The redneck or the white trash, who's gonna win?"
"Could be the mouthy ex-lawyer who lives in a prison and is chattin' shit about her white trash best friend," Lara grinned back.
"What about me?" Glenn asked in a pitiful voice that had Lara biting her tongue.
"Not gonna be you pizza boy," Daryl snorted at his friend.
"Alright, we can battle this out when we're done. Just keep count. Well if y'all can count," Lara said with a smirk for the guys. "Heads back on, we got more to do."
"Ball buster," Michonne joked, standing next to the door they hadn't been through yet.
Lara shook her head but got ready, the familiar tension spreading through her muscles and she nodded ready. The door was thrown open and nothing jumped out.
All four of them shuffled into the room sharing wide smiles with each other. This day was turning out to be very lucrative.
"We'll clear it out later, but if ya want anything now go ahead," Lara said, helping herself to a pack of cigarettes. "Ya reckon we should open it? See what's on the other side?" She asked the group who were raiding the commissary shelves. Candy, snacks, magazines, toiletries, cigarettes, it was an Aladdin's cave of treats. A counter sat at the very back of the room with a roll up metal shutter over the top of it. They would be able to see what awaited them in another part of the prison but it did leave them more vulnerable.
"Nah, it's ringing a dinner bell, could end up being trapped in here," Daryl said with his own pack of cigarettes that he was putting in his cargo pants pocket.
"Could be worse places to be trapped man," Glenn said around a mouthful of Twinkie, a coke ready in hand.
"Guys eat, drink, I'll take watch, five minutes," Lara said, going to stand by the door and make sure nothing sneaked up on them. She had been trying to make up for her fuck-up with the run to the hardware store since she had gotten back. This was another way to redeem herself and make sure her group was taken care of.
01010101010
Daryl watched Lara head to guard the door with worried eyes. Since that shit with the assholes on the bikes she'd been pushin' herself too much. Like she had shit to prove or somethin'.
She had been taking more watch shifts, workin' breakfast in the 'kitchen' and volunteerin' for pretty much anything. She was starting to get bags under her eyes and a pinched look to her face. It annoyed the hell out of him that he knew where she was almost all of the time. It annoyed the hell out of him that he checked to see where she was, that she was safe.
That was okay though, he checked on Carol from time to time to make sure she was safe. The kids too. He was never having another kid go missin' on his watch again. Not happenin'. But as much as he tried to tell himself otherwise, it was different. With her it was different.
"Man, what's going on with you and Andrea?" Glenn asked, snapping Daryl out of his thoughts.
"Nothin'," Daryl grunted honestly. The blonde had been all over him for almost two weeks now and it pissed him off. He didn't like being touched and that was all she seemed to do. He hated it an' didn't know how to stop it without being too harsh. Keeping away from her wasn't workin' either. She always found him.
"Yeah, sure, she's all over you man. Nothing wrong with letting yourself have some fun is all I'm saying," Glenn said, completely ignoring the angry glare that Daryl was sending his way.
"I'd rather fuck you Short'n'round than her," Daryl growled. What was it with everyone wanting to know his business?
"Don't think that would work for Maggie," Glenn laughed as if it was all one big joke. Fuckin' asshole, just like the rest.
Daryl turned and rushed for the door as he heard a small grunt of exertion. Lara. She was taking on something on her own. His stomach dropped.
Out in the corridor Lara was taking down three Walkers but had failed to see one sidling up on her right hand side. With quick, nimble fingers and a sinking heart Daryl loaded his crossbow and fired, barely taking time to aim properly.
"Thanks," Lara grunted as her strong arms wielded her sword through two of the dead guards' heads at one. She spun and stuck the third through its eye. Her movements were graceful and powerful. He couldn't take his eyes off her as she lowered the sword while breathing heavily. Thoughts of her naked flashed unbidden through his mind, the heaving breaths she was takin' adding to the picture. He scowled as he turned his head. He needed to get a handle on his shit before he started poppin' boners like he was fourteen again.
"Ya tryin' to get yourself killed? Huh? Why didn't ya call for us!" Daryl felt his worry and fear turn to anger. The emotion he could express.
"No, I can handle four shitbrains on my own Barton," Lara bit back, her hands tensed around her sword. Her eyes narrowed on him and she had a slight curl to her plump lips. She was pissed too.
"Ya keep doin' shit on your own ya gonna get yourself killed or fuckin' turned!" Daryl snarled, taking a step towards her. He was pissed as hell with Glenn, with his brother, Rick, everyone for gettin' in his business. More though he was pissed at the blonde stood in front of him for makin' him give a damn. For makin' him feel shit he didn't care for feelin'. For making him fuckin' worry over her!
"You guys were like ten feet away! If I needed help I could ask for it!" Lara said, her voice rising though still at a whisper. "I don't know if it's a genetic thing with you Dixon's or what, but I'm not fucking helpless nor am I fucking stupid! If I had needed help I'd have asked for it, if I had to bail or retreat I'd have done that! Now get out of my ass and let's finish this shit up, so you can get back to your girlfriend!"
"Ain't got a damn girlfriend! You rushing back to your boyfriend, that fuckin' little kid following you around with the puppy dog eyes? That preppy college thing get ya going?" Daryl and Lara were almost nose to nose snarling in each other's faces. He could see the way her blue eyes burnt with anger, the way her lips curled, her nose flared.
"Oh fuck off! Ya know damn well there's nothing going on with me and anyone else! Don't rub that shit in my face!" Lara was tense all over and despite the anger he also saw hurt in her eyes. Daryl didn't understand that though. What the hell did she mean?
"What the hell are ya talkin' about?" He asked, his temper receding a bit. His limbs still shook with the adrenaline though.
"You fuckin' know! I didn't think you'd ever be so cruel!.. You know what, doesn't matter, let's just get on with this," Lara said, her eyes downcast to the floor, her face full of hurt and embarrassment.
She turned from him and he understood. His heart lurched and he felt sick to his stomach. He would never… could never… why would she think that he would… why would she think it would make a difference?
He softly took hold of her arm, stopping her from walking away.
"Ya didn' get that right. Really did think maybe you an' Tommy… I wouldn't, not ever talk abou' it. Especially in front of others. Never ya hear," Daryl said softly, but she refused to look at him. And damn didn't he feel like asshole of the whole fuckin' year. Considerin' Merle was there that was something.
Daryl took his bottom lip between his teeth and gnawed on it. He needed her to understand what he was sayin' without fuckin' sayin' it. He needed her to know he would never talk shit about her scars. He had his own. He knew her pain about them. Knew how she must feel and no matter how much of a fuckin' jerk he could be, he would absolutely never talk shit about 'em.
So softly he was barely touching her he placed his fingers on her chin and nudged it up so she was lookin' at him.
"I wouldn't ever talk about it like that, or make fun or any o' that shit. Be a bit of a hypocrite. M'sorry. Just, tha' walker was gonna get ya and…" He took a deep breath, he couldn't say anymore. It was like his throat had closed as he physically could not get anymore words through his lips. Still by the slight nod and clearing of her eyes he knew she understood regardless.
"I have no idea what's going on but we need to move. Now," Kill Bill said, her voice firm as she shot Daryl the stink eye. He had to admit hers was a pretty good one, so good in fact he actually almost felt a bit of fear.
He nodded to her and brought up the rear of the group. He was hoping he'd get the chance to make up to Lara later.